Ophelia

Ophelia, by Lisa Klein [YA Fiction]

by Jeana, 9th grader

A new twist on an old tale: Ophelia tells the story of a motherless girl with a taste for adventures, and for a certain prince of Denmark. Though it stays faithful to the story of Hamlet, the author adds her own vital twist to Ophelia’s “madness.” The author makes Ophelia a truly strong character, rather than a dependent, weak character like in the play, while seamlessly joining it with the play’s events. She also adds her own ending to the story, making the book original and addicting. I recommend this book to any Shakespeare fan, or anyone who wants to read a good book with a strong female lead.

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney

The Secret Life of Sparrow Delaney, by Suzanne Harper [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

Sparrow is the 7th daughter of the 7th daughter in a family of mediums. Except Sparrow doesn’t want to be a part of her mystical family’s profession. She refuses to interact with spirits. When she finally gets the chance to start over at a new high school, without her weird reputation, she thinks she has a chance to be normal. But then a ghost finds her and won’t leave her alone. No matter what she does to ignore him, the ghost won’t give up. Can Sparrow help this ghost move on, still seem normal, and win the mysterious guy in her history class? A wonderful book for teens.

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac, by Gabrielle Zevin [YA Fiction]

by Trisha, 7th grader

This book is about a girl who loses her memory falling down the stairs. The girl’s name is Naomi. When she wakes up, she forgets all her friends, her boyfriends, and, most importantly, her parents’ divorce. I love this book. It is funny how she can’t seem to
remember what she likes so much about her boyfriend. She also is attracted to the mysterious James with a mysterious past. 0000! Funny, serious, unique, definitely read this!

A Mango-Shaped Space

A Mango-Shaped Space, by Wendy Mass [YA Fiction]

by Shreya, 8th grader

This is such a unique, heart-warming book. Its topic of synesthesia is interesting to read about, especially since the author describes the main character’s “symptoms” throughout the book. Even though I had a good idea of what the character, Mia, was going through, I felt more like her parents, who were seeing her world for the first time. (which I technically was). The book kept you intrigued on Mia’s day to day life as a synesthetic and even during her tragic time. A Mango-Shaped Space will show you the new world of synesthesia, and how some things, no matter how weird, make you who you are.

Bossy Bear

Bossy Bear, by David Horvath [children's picture book]

by Wendy, age 17

Bossy Bear is a book for young children, but I loved it all the same. Bright blue cover, simplistic pictures, and the universal theme of sharing makes it appeal to everyone. You’ll all love the bug-eyed teddy.

The Great Blue Yonder

The Great Blue Yonder, by Michael Shearer [J Fiction]

by Lisa, 8th grader

The Great Blue Yonder by Michael Shearer, was, in my opinio, a wonderful book. It got me thinking about what it would be like if my last words to someone I loved were, I hate you. All siblings go through rough patches, but they don’t hate each other. So then the main character tries to go back to earth from heaven and apologize, while others discourage him. You’ll have to read the rest of the book to find out.

Vampire Kisses

Vampire Kisses, by Ellen Schreiber [YA Fiction]

by Marina, 9th grader

Vampire Kisses is obviously a vampire book. But it’s a different kind of vampire book. Instead of having your normal, everyday girl falling for the dark and mysterious vampire, you have Raven. An awesome Goth girl that doesn’t take crap from anybody and knows how to get revenge. The book holds many surprises and leaves it for you to decide. Is Alexander Sterling a vampire, or not? An excellent book that everyone should read.

Lolita

Lolita, by Vladimir Nabokov [adult fiction]

by Wendy, 11th grader

First a disclaimer: Lolita is perhaps best suited for older high school students.

If there is one book I could read forever and ever, over and over, Nabokov’s Lolita would be that book. The subject is as controversial as the prose is beautiful, but one can’t help but be pulled into the head of the tragic (disgusting? insane?) main character, Humbert Humbert and his condemned, tabooed love for the twelve-year-old Dolores Haze, who is not as innocent as her youth may lead one to think. It is read, finished, and put down in shock as you realized you have just condoned what should have been condemned. Disbelief? Read this book about the most powerful and maddening human emotion of all.

A Pillar of Iron

A Pillar of Iron, by Taylor Caldwell [adult Fiction: we don't own]

by Monica, 12th grader

Chances are you won’t be able to find this book because it’s old and probably out of print. But in case you do find it, read it! It’s basically a biography of Cicero, a famous orator, statesman, and philosopher from Ancient Rome. The book is interesting and well-written (although long). My only complaint is that the author connects Rome too much to the U.S. government. But if you get a chance, read it anyway!

Halo: Fall of Reach

Halo: Fall of Reach, by Eric Nylund [YA Fiction]

by Jeff, 7th grader

If you ever played Halo, you will love this. The Spartans II were taken at five to train and be like the Spartans. The Spartans II were to fight the covenant. I recommend it if you like games and an action-packed book.